The Arizona sentinel., 1887-10-29
BY THE WAYSIDE.
How Bill Benson Kept the Oath He
 Sacredly Swore.

It was about the middle of Decem- ber Winter had set in in earnest. The wind howled through the streets. Pedestrians drew themselves into the innermost reeesses of their great coats to avoid contact with the frosty air.
 Near midnight my days toll being completed I laid aside my pen, wrapped myself up snugly and stepped out into the storm, homeward bound. It was an awful night The hard frozen snow drifted in blinding clouds before the biting northwest wind. The first gust went through my heavy clothing like a knife, and forced me into run to quicken the sluggish flow of my blood. But few passengers ap- peared on the streets; the cars had ceased moving; the night was almost alone with the storm.
 Evening paper, sir. Won't you buy, please?"
 It was the pleading voice of Ii title newsgirl.
 During a journalistic career of sev- eral years, had grown accustomed to appeals like this at all hours and at all seasons.
 There was no attraction for me at that moment in any paper, but there was something in the plaintive tone of the child's words that induced me to turn and look into the pinched yet beautiful face.
 "Only one left; won't you buy, sirP' she repeated.
 How is it you are out so late on such night, little one?" I asked.
 Haven't sold out yet" was the sim pie explanation.
 And will you go right home if buy your last paperP"
 ''Yes, sir, as soon as Billy has sold out"
 "And who is BillyP" inquired.
 "Oh, he's my chum; he's over there on the other corner" and following the motion of her hand l saw crouch ing in doorway the shiveriug figure of half-clad boy, who still had papers to sell under his arm.
 1 purchased the girls last paper and urging her to get home speedily. stepped into dark and convenient door way to await developments, for instinct told me that would find therein not only food for thought, but material for future use.
 She dashed across the street in the direction of Billy. needless of every thing else. while the cutting wind tore through her thin cotton dress and threatened to carry her away bodily.
 I've sold out, Billy" heard her shout gleefullY, as she ran up to the shivering lad. How many have you got left?"
 Two"
 'Tn take one, and let's go home"
 Billy's response to this generous pro- posal was lost in the roar of the storm. but actions speak louder than words.
 Paper. sir!'' he cried. running up to man who was passing. offering him the latest news from all parts of the earth for a cent. But without even looking at the little fellow, the gentleman passed on.
 As if in pitiless contempt for the unsuccessful efforts of the little mer- chant to dispose of his stock in trade, the wind howled and shrieked about the corners more tiercely than before
 Billy hesitated but a moment, then grasping his two papers tightly under one arm and placing the other, with a large half of his ill-fitting coat about the form of his little girl chum, he started off in an easterly direction.
 I could hear no sound of his voice, but Billy's actions said: Little chum, you would wait in the cold for me, you would even share my loss on the papers I couldn't sell; you are alto gether too good to stay out this terri ble night for my sake, so come home. Ny, how, cold you must be, let me keep the wind of, y and so he wrapped his coat about the frail creat- ure. and placing her on the sheltered side of his own half-clad figure, the newsboy and his friend set out on their dreary way.
 The storm increased in violence. NJ way would have led me in the teeth of the blast and l was tempted tO return to the office for the night, bu the desire to know more of Billy and his companion burned within me. An influence that Ihad no inclin ation to resist impeled me to follow them.